The basis of sustainable energy consumption is conservation.
Before installing renewable energy, reducing a building’s power
demand stands alone.
Jim Crossman, co-founder of Colorado Independent Energy Auditors
Association and owner of Financial Energy Management, insists that
lighting, especially in large buildings can suck up power like a
Shop Vac takes up water.
Crossman says his company has saved Colorado businesses, schools
and governments more than $38 million in power bills and conserved
700 MW hours of electricity generation, and more than 690 tons of
CO2 from reducing the amount of coal burned in Colorado.
His projects include the Colorado Capitol complex, Auraria
campus, Colorado School of Mines and the City of Boulder housing
Authority. Denver Federal Center,
Tom Ashburn, area manager of community and local government
affairs at Xcel Energy, introduced Crossman at the Renewable Energy
Task Force June 12.
We talk about wind and solar because they are sexy things,”
Ashburn said. “Using less energy is the best way possible, in the
whole value of things.”
Crossman focused on conservation options with high and fast
returns on investment.
“If you spend $2,000 and save $1,700 in the first year, that is
an 85 percent return on your investment,” Crossman said.
Specifiacally Crossman listed areas where businesses can get a
handle on energy costs.
Lighting is 30-40 percent of a business’ electric bill. To get a
handle on the costs and what companies can do to reduce them.
Start with last year’s bills, noting the kilowatt hours (kwh) or
ccf (100 cubic feet) of natural gas used.
“Look at the units, not the cost since costs fluctuate,”
Crossman said.
Conduct an internal audit and discover every light and lighting
control in the building. Then educate employees to shut off lights
that are not needed.
After that, consider an energy audit to get a baseline reading
for the building, then list possible projects and prioritize the
options.
Then track savings, again in energy units, not dollars.
Crossman advocates for high efficiency T-8 fluorescent bulbs
over LED lights.
Across the street, Whole Foods was readying for a grand opening.
Ron Megahan explained some efficiency moves in the store that could
be picked up chain-wide if the savings pan out.
Whole Foods uses LED lights in display cases, compact
fluorescent and ceramic vapor bulbs.
Doors and night shades on dairy and drink cases control
temperatures when the store is closed.
